Japan
About
| Blending the old and the new, Tokyo is a city that is difficult to define. Cutting edge technology stands beside ancient temples, flashing neon lights bathe kimono-clad women, and shining skyscrapers tower above stunning Shinto shrines. Tokyo Disneyland is a faithful replica of the Californian original, complete with Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, as well as shows, parades and firework displays. The unique DisneySea Park is set against the backdrop of Tokyo Bay. Roppongi Hills has been created as a city within a city, and this very popular complex offers visitors a taste of Tokyo's future. Every inch of Roppongi Hills has been beautifully designed; visitors can wander through peaceful Japanese gardens and beside water walls, then eat and shop in one of more than 200 restaurants and boutiques. |
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| Capital: | Tokyo (TYO) |
| Currency: | Japanese Yen (JPY) |
| Language: | Japanese. English is widely understood, but may not always be spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 81 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +9 (7 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left. An international drivers permit is required, and you should carry your South African drivers licence. |
| Best Time to Go: | March – May and September – November. Avoid the peak times during this period (cherry blossom and autumn foliage times, Golden Week and Obon) |
| Best for: | Traditional Performing Arts, Architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. |
| Plugs: | 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use; 50 Hertz in eastern Japan and 60 Hertz in western Japan (including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka). 2-flat-pin plugs. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available. If travelling to the Fukashima area, avoid drinking tap water and bottled water sold in the area. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services upfront. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Medications containing stimulants or codeine are illegal. Should you bring medication on your travels, you should check to make sure that they do not contain these ingredients (certain medications which are commonly available in South Africa, such as nasal sprays, will therefore not be allowed into Japan – check with the Japanese embassy if unsure). If you are bringing medication on your travels, it should be in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Japan has a strict social etiquette and expect visitors to be polite and respectful. Shoes should be removed when entering a person’s home or restaurant. Bowing is a common greeting, but handshakes are becoming more common. Table manners are important – if using chopsticks do not position them upright in the bowl. Do not douse your rice in soy sauce. The Japanese people are very tolerant of visitors, and will appreciate attempts to respect their social values. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Identification should be carried at all times. Penalties for crimes tend to be severe and prison life is strict. There is a zero-tolerance for drug-related crimes. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | If travelling to Fukashima, avoid buying food and water. The most common dangers to travellers are natural disasters – typhoons (August – October) and earthquakes. Although credit cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants and stores, Japan is a cash society. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Japan by travellers 20 years of age and older without incurring customs duty: • 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco or 500g of a combination of these. • 3 bottles (approximately 750ml each) of alcohol. • 60ml of perfume. • Other goods up to the value of ¥200,000 |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited items include narcotics, firearms and ammunition, explosives, counterfeit money, obscene material, and articles which infringe upon intellectual copyright. Restricted items include animals, plants, medicines and cosmetics, hunting guns, air guns and swords. You should be aware that in Japan cold and flu medication containing stimulants are illegal. You are not permitted to take commonly available nasal decongestant medication such as Sudafed and Vicks inhalers into Japan. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Narcotics and stimulants, child pornography and goods that violate design copyrights, trademarks, patents, breeding and intellectual copyrights |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Japan in South Africa
259 Baines Street, Corner Frans Oerder Str., Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 452 1500
E-mail: consul@pr.mofa.go.jp
Website: www.za.emb-japan.go.jp
Mon-Fri: 08:30-12:45 & 13:45-17:00
Visas: Mon-Fri: 09:00-12:30 & 14:00-16:00, (Application in the Morning Only)
Office of Consul of Japan in Cape Town
21st Floor Office, The Towers, 2 Heerengracht Cnr, Hertzog Blvd,Cape Town
Tel: (0)21 425 1695
Visas Tel: 0800 060 109
Email: enquiries@pr.mofa.go.jp (no visa queries)
Website: www.za.emb-japan.go.jp
Mon-Fri: 09:00-12:30 & 14:00-16:00
Visas: 9:00-12:30
The Embassy of Japan in the Republic of South Africa is also accredited to the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1-3, 13; Feb 11, 23-24; Mar 20; Apr 29; May 3-6; Jul 21; Aug 11; Sep 15, 23; Oct 13; Nov 3, 23-24, Dec 31
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 12; Feb 11, 23; Mar 20; Apr 29; May 3-6; Jul 20; Aug 11; Sep 21-23; Oct 12; Nov 3, 23
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
South African passport holders can apply for an E-Visa if arriving by airplane / international ferry for the purpose of tourism (for a stay of 90 days or less)
E-VISA APPLICATIONS:
Web: www.evisa.mofa.go.jp
Queries: japan-visa@bricks-corp.com (Please mention your nationality or citizenship and place of your residence in your email)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Format for documents:
-File format: PDF, TIF, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC
-File size: up to 2MB is recommended
-Maximum number of pages: 50 pages
- Passport
- Passport photo
- Itinerary / Tour Information while in Japan. Include list of accommodations.
- Flight information
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
- If a minor child is applying for an eVISA and travelling alone, a parental consent form must be submitted
- Letter of authorisation (if applying for a 3rd party)
NOTE: For flights and accommodations, bookings are sufficient. Paid confirmations are not required. If applying for a family on the same itinerary, you can add family members to the application once the principal application has been completed.
On arrival at the airport, you will be required to login to your profile (on your cellphone) and display the visa issuance notice. Screenshots will not be accepted.
Visa Processing Time
Visas are issued within 5 working days after all required documents are submitted properly. The earliest you can apply is 3 months prior to travel.
Visa Validity
The period of stay for an eVISA (short-term stay) is either 15 days, 30 days or 90 days.
Visa Cost
Single Visa: R395
Payments at the embassy must be made in cash, or can be made online.
Payments for the e-visa must be made via credit card on the platform.
SA Representative
South African Embassy
4th Floor, Hanzomon First Building, 1-4 Kojimachi-CHIYODAKU, Tokyo, 102-0083
Tel: 0081 3 3265 3366
Email: tokyo.visa@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco.gov.za/japan/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
